With new host Anthony Messano at the helm, Stumptown Soundcheck digs into one of the most universal — and maddening — parts of Portland’s live-music experience: parking. Joined by venue leaders Cheri Jamison (Alberta Abbey) and Jimi Byron (McMenamins/Crystal Ballroom), the conversation explores how parking availability influences ticket sales, audience turnout, artist load-ins, neighborhood relations, and overall venue operation

In this special episode, Stumptown Soundcheck brings you inside the Arts & Economy Committee meeting of August 12 2025. Councilor Jamie Dunphy introduces “The State of Portland’s Music Economy,” a presentation that examines the scale, significance and vulnerability of the city’s independent music sectorportland.gov. You’ll hear from Grammy‑winning artist Esperanza Spalding, who reflects on the importance of community music programs; Mara McLaughlin of Music Portland, who presents economic data showing how Portland’s music scene outpaces many other industries; and venue operator Jim Brunberg, who explains why independent venues are cultural and economic anchors. The meeting also features policy proposals—ranging from agent‑of‑change development guidelines to noise‑code reforms—and public testimony highlighting the need for living wages and more rehearsal space. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a policymaker or someone curious about how music shapes Portland’s identity, this episode offers a front‑row seat to a pivotal discussion about the future of the city’s music ecosystemportland.gov.

Portland’s indie heartbeat is loud—but can it keep tempo as the city leans harder into big-league sports? Host Jamie Dunphy sits down with two insiders who live at that intersection: DJ OG One (official DJ of the Portland Trail Blazers) and Jami Duffy (Executive Director, Youth on Record; Co‑Manager, Underground Music Showcase; Denver Cultural Affairs Commissioner). Together they unpack how arena culture, public policy, and grassroots scenes collide— from the WNBA’s return to Rip City to Denver’s stadium districts and community benefit agreements.

OG One shares how he’s turned the Moda Center into a platform for local artists—slotting indie tracks into game ops, building halftime/concourse showcases, and creating a pipeline that trains young DJs for pro teams. Duffy offers a playbook from a championship sports town: treating music and sports as one entertainment ecosystem, getting artists at the table early, and safeguarding independent venues when shiny new stadiums add concerts to their calendars.

In this episode:

Sports investment vs. arts investment—and where policy actually moves the needle

Practical ways teams can platform local musicians (and why intention matters)

Stadium districts, noise, and CBAs: protecting neighbors and nightlife

How music and sports fans can learn from each other to build a more inclusive scene

A candid, actionable conversation about identity, equity, and the future of Portland’s culture. Press play and join the huddle.

For most Portlanders, the city doesn’t start until the workday ends—yet the only municipal employees reliably clocking in after 5 p.m. are cops, firefighters, and 911 operators. Could a dedicated advocate for nightlife, culture, and after-hours small business help the Rose City feel vibrant and safe again?

Host Jamie Dunphy sits down with two of America’s leading nighttime-economy strategists:

Scott Plusquellec – Nightlife Business Advocate, City of Seattle

Julia Heath – Policy & Outreach Manager, Office of Nighttime Economy, City of New Orleans

Together they unpack what a “night mayor” really does (and why that title makes them cringe), how COVID reshaped urban after-hours life, and what Portland should consider before launching its own program.

If you care about music venues, late-night jobs, or simply being able to grab a taco and hear a band at midnight without stepping over red tape, this episode is for you.

Forget the tired “Keep Portland Weird” bumper-sticker: the real action is happening in the neighborhoods you keep cruising past on the MAX. In this month’s Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy drags the spotlight off downtown and plants it firmly on Portland’s orbital music hubs—Beaverton, Vancouver, and beyond—where guitars are repaired faster than city councils can file another noise-ordinance memo.

Geoff Metts, co-owner of Five Star Guitars, reveals how a suburban shop morphed into a West-Coast gear mecca, why NAMM has him testifying on Capitol Hill, and which of his former guitar students now teach him a lesson or two.

Sheri Jamison, opera-singer-turned-arts-power-broker, dishes on Vancouver’s shiny new 0.1% cultural-access tax, brewing plans for a 1,200-seat performing-arts center, and the secret to coaxing city hall into funding mosh pits.

Plus: post-pandemic venue survival hacks, Live Nation shade, commute-induced existential dread on the I-205 bridge, and a love letter (with scorch marks) to Dante’s at 3rd & Burnside.

Whether you’re a policy wonk hunting economic-impact numbers, a suburban parent praying for a hometown date-night gig, or a jealous downtown club rat wondering where the crowd went—this episode lays out the dollars, decibels, and drama driving the greater-Portland music engine.

In this episode of Stumptown Soundcheck, host Jamie Dunphy sits down with Michael Bracy, co-founder of the Music Policy Forum, to explore the intricate relationship between music, policy, and community-building. Michael recounts his early experiences advocating for artists’ rights with the Future of Music Coalition, sheds light on how policy can both challenge and enhance local music ecosystems, and discusses the importance of collaborative efforts like the Music Policy Forum. He also highlights the unique cultural dynamics and geographic considerations shaping Cascadia’s music scene—from Portland to Boise to Seattle. Join us for an insightful conversation about how public policy and community collaboration can foster a thriving, equitable, and resilient music industry.

In Episode 22 of Stumptown Soundcheck, we tune in to the raw, unfiltered passion that Kate Becker brings to building and sustaining Seattle-area arts. Once a scrappy rabble-rouser, she’s now the head honcho at the King County Office of Economic Opportunity and Creative Economy. (Yes, that’s a mouthful.) Host Jamie Dunphy teases out how Seattle’s music ecosystem rose from sweaty teen all-ages shows to major government investment—and what that could mean for arts advocates in Portland. Hear about the joys, the tears, and the policy dramas that shape one of the West Coast’s most dynamic creative economies.

In this episode, host and city councilor Jamie Dunphy sits down with Music Policy Council rock star Jesse Valencia to survey the big question: “How can Portland become a true music city?” Listeners chime in on everything from parking solutions to city-led agencies that cut through red tape. They discuss a new all-ages venue project (Friends of Noise FTW!), policy changes (bye-bye, archaic noise code?), and the constant tug-of-war with corporate giants like Live Nation. The final verdict? Portland’s music ecosystem has the passion, but it needs your help to make the dream real—whether that means volunteering at Music Portland, serving on new committees, or just showing up to local gigs. Expect an optimistic call to arms, witty banter, and plenty of real talk about building a vibrant, diverse, safe city where music thrives.

In this episode, host Jamie Dunphy engages with newly elected Portland City Councilors Sameer Kanal and Olivia Clark to explore the pivotal role of music in shaping public policy. They discuss strategies to support the local music industry, address subjective law enforcement issues related to noise codes, and navigate the impact of major players like Live Nation on Portland’s vibrant music scene.

Discover how Portland is fostering a pro-music environment through thoughtful governance.

In this enlightening episode of Stumptown Soundcheck, special guest host Jesse Valencia welcomes back Music Portland's founder and executive director, Mara McLaughlin. Together, they delve into the pivotal role of Portland's independent music industry in the city's economy and culture, especially in light of the upcoming governmental changes.

With Portland's government transitioning to a new structure—electing a new mayor and a 12-person city council representing different districts—over 100 candidates are vying for positions. Jesse and Mara discuss how Music Portland reached out to 65 of these candidates with a comprehensive survey to gauge their commitment to supporting the local music scene. More than half responded thoughtfully, highlighting the growing recognition of music as an economic and cultural asset.

They share insightful excerpts from candidates across various districts, emphasizing their plans to promote Portland as a top independent music city, protect local venues from monopolistic entities, and invest in the music economy. The conversation underscores the interconnectedness of music policy with broader city issues like economic development, tourism, and community vitality.

Jesse and Mara also touch on the importance of understanding the candidates' positions on music-related policies, encouraging listeners to consider these factors in their voting decisions. They address common misconceptions about the music community, emphasizing that it's a complex ecosystem involving small businesses, entrepreneurs, and educators—not just performers.

The episode serves as a call to action for the community to recognize and support the music industry's role in shaping Portland's identity and future. By highlighting the candidates who are champions for music, Jesse and Mara aim to inspire informed voting and continued advocacy for a thriving, resilient music scene in Portland.

Tune in to gain valuable insights into how music and public policy intersect in Portland's evolving political landscape, and discover how you can contribute to fostering a vibrant cultural community.